If you take aspirin daily to prevent heart attack, stroke, or because of any inflammation, you should be aware of the side effects this drug may cause. At the same time, aspirin can be replaced with much safer natural remedies.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be dangerous, but for some reason aspirin is still considered completely harmless. This may be because the drug is designed to reduce the production of hormone-like substances that promote inflammation and blood clotting.
However, many who take aspirin regularly over a long period of time are not at risk for developing heart disease, and the drug may cause more harm than good.
New medical recommendations have begun to include information about the potential dangers of low-dose aspirin. Most recently, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent expert group on disease prevention, developed a new list of recommendations for the use of aspirin.
The changes follow the results of a new study showing that taking small amounts of aspirin (80-100 mg) to prevent cardiovascular disease has only a “little” effect in middle-aged people.
Before you start taking aspirin regularly, here are a few questions to ask yourself and your doctor: Are you in the category of people who need to take aspirin daily to prevent a second heart attack or stroke? Can you fully appreciate the benefits and risks of taking this medicine?
Below we will talk in more detail about the side effects of aspirin and more.
What is aspirin?
Aspirin was discovered in 1853; until 1897, it was used for medical purposes only in powder form. In 1915, the small white aspirin tablets that we still use today were introduced.
The active component in aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, was originally isolated from the bark of the willow tree. Did you know that this same ingredient is present in beans, peas, jasmine and clover?
In ancient Egypt, willow bark was used to relieve pain long before the benefits of acetylsalicylic acid were discovered.
Other ingredients in aspirin include cornstarch, hypromellose, cellulose powder, triacetin (a solvent), and carnauba wax.
Taking aspirin regularly is recommended for three reasons:
- to relieve pain and inflammation
- to prevent heart attack and stroke
- to fight fever
Data suggest that aspirin as a preventive therapy may be indicated for people with a medical history of heart attack, chest pain, and ischemic stroke. Aspirin is also used to reduce the risk of developing cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.
The production of this drug amounts to about 120 billion tablets per year, making it one of the most popular drugs in the world.
You might be wondering why so many people take aspirin regularly? The study suggests that regular aspirin use is often recommended for men aged 45 to 79 and women aged 55 to 79 to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Aspirin reduces the amount of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that control the body's inflammatory responses and processes such as blood flow and blood clot formation. Thus, the drug reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, which are often the result of a blood clot in the coronary arteries or vessels.
Taking aspirin irregularly will not help to cope with this problem, but using the medicine every day for a long time can cause many side effects and complications.
Diet for stomach ulcers
Successful treatment of gastric ulcer can be achieved only with an integrated approach. Along with folk remedies and taking medications, it is important to comply with all the requirements for creating a therapeutic diet, as well as organizing the patient’s menu. Everything that can irritate this digestive organ is excluded from the diet. In addition, in order to quickly restore its mucous membrane, the stomach requires a gentle operating mode with minimal load. Therefore, preference is given to light, quickly digested food, which is eaten often, but in small portions.
Is it safe to take aspirin every day?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend using aspirin every day to prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, in some cases, the risk of heart attack and stroke may be much greater than the risk of side effects associated with aspirin use.
But in any case, you need to discuss the consequences of taking this drug with your doctor.
Recent changes to the USPSTF guidelines state that patients should decide to take aspirin only after discussing the benefits and risks of the drug with their doctor. The organization suggests that taking low-dose aspirin as a measure to prevent cardiovascular disease may have a negative effect on people of a certain age.
Taking aspirin daily as a preventative measure may not be effective in those aged 40–59 years.
One study also suggests that one-time use of the drug may be as effective as regular use.
Thus, a 2016 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Research analyzed the effects of aspirin taken regularly and intermittently for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The study included 1,720 pairs of patients who took aspirin daily or occasionally between 1997 and 2000. Scientists recorded 25 cases of bleeding and 67 cases of stroke in volunteers who regularly took the drug, while in patients of the second group the number of cases was 69 and 100, respectively.
At the same time, the researchers monitored the development of cancer in the experiment participants. In those who periodically took aspirin, 32 cases of cancer were identified, and in patients who constantly took the drug, 26 cases were recorded. The scientists concluded that long-term, regular use of aspirin was not significantly more effective than intermittent use of the drug in preventing heart attack and stroke.
Those who take aspirin for preventive purposes have something to think about. Is Aspirin Really Necessary for Your Health? Will it do more harm than good?
Side effects of aspirin
Kidney failure
A study has found that taking aspirin regularly can lead to kidney damage called analgesic nephropathy. Analgesic nephropathy is a form of chronic kidney failure that occurs with long-term regular use of analgesics such as aspirin.
This disease often begins without visible symptoms, leading to severe kidney failure and the need for daily kidney dialysis.
A 2016 review published in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine found that long-term use of large amounts of aspirin may be associated with kidney failure. The evidence, however, has been mixed, as some studies have not shown a relationship between aspirin abuse and kidney damage. One study, however, found that combining paracetamol and aspirin resulted in greater kidney toxicity than taking aspirin alone.
A study published in the European Journal of Heart Failure found that the effects of aspirin on the kidneys are dose dependent, with aspirin taking more than 80 mg being associated with adverse effects, especially in patients with heart failure.
Liver failure
When aspirin is taken regularly, the drug is absorbed by the liver, which can lead to liver disease or liver failure. This is a very serious disease, since the liver helps eliminate harmful substances from the body. Otherwise, if the liver does not function properly, intoxication occurs.
A 2014 study from Georgetown University Hospital found that drug-related liver damage occurs in an average of 10 out of 100,000 patients. Scientists say that high-dose aspirin can cause hepatotoxicity.
Thus, as a result of treatment with high-dose aspirin, a 41-year-old patient developed acute liver damage, which was eliminated by discontinuation of the drug. This case showed scientists that, despite the lack of information about the effects of aspirin on liver health, the drug can be dangerous in large quantities.
Ulcers
The American College of Gastroenterology states that regularly taking aspirin is the second most common cause of stomach ulcers. This drug causes irritation of the stomach lining and the formation of painful ulcers. Moreover, regular use of aspirin aggravates existing ulcers and can cause complications such as bleeding and perforation of the ulcers.
A study published in the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare indicates that aspirin treatment is one of the leading causes of deterioration in patients with gastrointestinal ulcers. Scientists have found that aspirin and Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that attacks the stomach, significantly contribute to their development.
Tinnitus and hearing loss
Ringing or tinnitus is a symptom of impaired hearing and damage to the nerves located near the ears. Ringing may be caused by excess aspirin consumption and may indicate intoxication.
According to a systematic review conducted by Harvard Medical School, USA, among patients aged 45 to 79 years who regularly take aspirin, the likelihood of hearing loss is 13-68%.
Scientists have found that 1.95 grams of aspirin per day can significantly impair hearing. They also believe that the side effect is related to the dosage of the drug, and the condition can be improved by stopping the drug.
Hemorrhagic stroke
Although many people take aspirin to thin their blood and prevent heart attack and stroke, this drug can actually make your condition worse in some cases. Sometimes strokes can be caused by bleeding in the brain. In this situation, taking aspirin can make the problem worse and lead to serious brain damage and even death.
Scientists from the University of Illinois, USA, suggest that "the cardiovascular benefits of aspirin must be weighed against the possible risks associated with taking this drug, the most serious of which is hemorrhagic stroke."
Although research suggests that the risk of hemorrhage associated with aspirin use is quite low (0.2 cases per 1,000 patients per year), it should still be listed as a side effect and considered when prescribing aspirin as a measure to prevent heart attacks. and strokes.
Reye's syndrome
Reye's syndrome is a fatal disease that affects vital organs in children, mainly the brain and liver. The study showed that Reye's syndrome is quite rare, but the likelihood of death is very high (about 30-40% of cases lead to death as a result of brain stem dysfunction).
This disease typically occurs in children and adolescents recovering from the flu or chickenpox, and aspirin has been linked to the development of Reye's syndrome.
Scientists believe that the drug may act as a contributing factor in susceptible patients. For this reason, children and teenagers with viral infections should never take aspirin.
A study published in the journal Drug Safety suggests that the severity of the disease may depend on the dosage of aspirin. And in the case of taking aspirin during a viral infection, this drug, in principle, cannot be called safe.
Kefir with cinnamon: BENEFITS
The ideal time to take a kefir and cinnamon cocktail is dinner. Already in the morning you will notice the effect and want to repeat it again! Kefir calms the feeling of hunger, and the spice speeds up metabolism, so after sleep a flat tummy and lightness in the intestines are guaranteed. For greater effectiveness, you can add a pinch of ground ginger. Kefir normalizes blood pressure (especially useful for hypertensive patients), and prebiotics help normalize intestinal microflora. Cinnamon actively removes waste and toxins.
Important! You can only take half a teaspoon per day.
Interaction with other drugs
If you regularly take aspirin, it is important to consult your doctor about possible drug interactions with other medications, vitamins, or dietary supplements.
The way aspirin works can be affected by:
- arthritis medications
- medications to treat symptoms of chronic gout
- drugs to normalize blood pressure
- medications that thin the blood and fight blood clots
- steroids
- anticonvulsants
Some people are more sensitive to complications associated with long-term use of aspirin. For this reason, they should not take this drug daily, especially in large quantities. People at risk of developing complications include people who suffer from the following diseases:
- heart failure
- kidney and liver diseases
- asthma
- stomach ulcers
- bleeding, bleeding disorders, blood clots
- uncontrolled hypertension
- diabetes
People who are allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs, and people who have asthma with nasal polyps and rhinitis should never take aspirin. An allergic reaction to aspirin typically results in a rash, facial swelling, wheezing, and even anaphylactic shock.
It should also be avoided if you drink more than three alcoholic drinks a day. The medicine is not recommended for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding without a doctor's recommendation.
What is functional soda?
Dosage and Application
Aspirin is taken for a number of reasons, including pain, swelling and cardiovascular disease. It helps relieve pain from menstrual cramps, headaches, rheumatoid arthritis and sprains.
The dosage of the drug varies from 50 mg to 6,000 mg per day. Taking a small amount of this medication daily is generally recommended for vascular and heart disease, poor blood flow, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Smokers and those who have been diagnosed with a heart attack or blood clot can also take a small dose of aspirin every day.
Nutritional properties
The benefits of cinnamon lie in even the smallest pinch. Half a teaspoon of spice per day has a positive effect on blood sugar levels, digestion and immunity.
In higher doses, cinnamon improves heart health and reduces the risk of diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Cinnamon can provide the body with a wide range of important nutrients, vitamins and minerals, particularly fiber and manganese.
One tablespoon (about 8 grams) of ground cinnamon contains approximately:
- 19 calories
- 6.2 g carbohydrates
- 0.3 g protein
- 0.2 g fat
- 4.1 g dietary fiber
- 1.4 mg manganese (68% of RDA)
- 77.7 mg calcium (8% of RDA)
- 0.6 mg iron (4% of RDA)
- 2.4 mcg vitamin K (3% of RDA)
Is the avocado seed the new superfood?
In addition to the nutrients presented above, this spice contains small amounts of vitamin E, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, zinc and copper.
Natural alternative
Anti-inflammatory diet
If you are using aspirin to relieve swelling or inflammation, keep in mind that this can be achieved in other, more natural and safer ways. The best place to start is with your diet.
First of all, you need to avoid foods that cause inflammation, swelling and pain: fast food, processed and packaged foods, foods containing artificial ingredients and added sugar, high amounts of caffeine and alcohol.
Instead, focus on eating healthy to help manage inflammation. Anti-inflammatory foods include:
- leafy greens and colored vegetables
- fruits such as blueberries and pineapple
- healthy fats, such as wild salmon and coconut oil
- bone broth
- nuts and seeds, such as walnuts, flax and chia seeds
- high quality free range meat and organic chicken
- anti-inflammatory spices such as ginger, cayenne pepper and turmeric
Ginger
Did you know that ginger has antithrombosis properties? Regular consumption of ginger can actually prevent the occurrence of heart attack and stroke.
In addition, ginger can relieve pain and cope with inflammation. Gingerol, the most powerful healing substance in ginger, affects receptors that are located on our nerve endings.
Research suggests that due to its ability to fight pain and inflammation, ginger is often used as part of natural therapy to treat degenerative diseases such as arthritis and rheumatism, as well as cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Turmeric
Research shows that turmeric may even be more effective than some anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants and painkillers. Moreover, turmeric does not have any side effects unless consumed in too much quantity.
Research also suggests that curcumin in turmeric has antithrombotic effects, and daily consumption of this spice may help thin the blood.
Scientists believe that turmeric extract can be used as a pain reliever. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that 1,000 mg of curcumin per day was effective in relieving pain in patients with arthritis.
In fact, five studies found no significant difference between the effectiveness of turmeric and painkillers.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon may not only fight inflammation, but also promote heart health. Research suggests that the main benefit of cinnamon is its ability to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Scientists have found that cinnamon acts as a natural coagulant and can speed up blood flow. The spice promotes tissue repair and cell regeneration, which can help your body cope with a heart attack or stroke.
Methylsulfonylmethane
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a plant-derived adaptogen that helps manage stress and recover from injury, surgery, and exercise. MSM supplements are often used to relieve chronic pain, muscle cramps, lower blood pressure, and relieve eye inflammation.
MSM fights inflammation thanks to the sulfur it delivers to your body. Sulfur helps restore muscle cells. Research has shown that MSM also helps restore flexibility and permeability of cell walls within muscles, which speeds up muscle recovery.
Bromelain
This enzyme is present in pineapples and is often used to treat inflammation caused by diseases such as arthritis. Research suggests it may be used to relieve post-surgical pain and swelling, joint pain and sinus inflammation.
A study published in the journal Biomedical Reports found that bromelain has anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects. It effectively speeds up blood flow and strengthens the immune system.
Magnesium
Scientists have found that magnesium deficiency can lead to a range of problems, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney and liver damage, muscle spasms, decreased immunity and migraines.
Supplementing with magnesium will keep your blood pressure normal and prevent hypertension. A study from the Journal of Clinical Hypertension found that heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke and heart rhythm disorders can be prevented and treated by simply taking magnesium.
- Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever.
- Although taking aspirin daily is recommended for adult men and women to prevent heart attack and stroke, it is important to understand that it carries certain risks. The most dangerous side effects of aspirin include liver and kidney damage, ulcers, hearing loss, hemorrhagic stroke and Reye's syndrome.
- Long-term use of aspirin can be especially dangerous for people with heart failure, liver and kidney disease, asthma, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, hypertension, and diabetes.
- Fortunately, there are natural, safer alternatives to aspirin that can help you avoid the side effects associated with taking this drug.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones, buy only healthy products!
